Armenia prepared for potential fallout from war on Iran: PM

YEREVAN, Armenia (MNTV) — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Thursday that his government has long prepared for potential consequences stemming from escalating tensions involving Iran and the broader Middle East.

Speaking at a press briefing, Pashinyan rejected criticism of his response to the situation after he was filmed touring towns across Armenia with members of his political party during the weekend as tensions intensified in the region.

The prime minister said his administration had anticipated possible fallout and created a government working group more than a year ago to monitor developments and plan contingency measures.

“Of course, we deeply regret what is happening in Iran and in the region in general, and it is very painful for us,” Pashinyan said.

“However, this situation is unfortunately not new. Anyone who follows international developments should have at least considered that such a scenario could arise.”

According to Pashinyan, the working group — operating under the coordination of Armenia’s Security Council — was established about 1 to 1½ years ago after authorities assessed rising instability in the Middle East.

He said the group has worked at varying levels of intensity depending on developments, sometimes meeting daily or even hourly when needed, and at other times less frequently.

“All necessary measures that were supposed to be taken have been taken,” Pashinyan said, adding that government agencies have been assessing possible scenarios and preparing responses.

The Armenian leader noted that renewed hostilities were considered a possibility following military operations against Iran in June 2025, prompting the government to maintain readiness for further escalation.

“I say this so that the impression is not created that the government of Armenia is careless,” Pashinyan said. “No — when others were careless, the government of Armenia was organizing its actions and making decisions.”